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February 12, 2024
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I've full legal custody of my grandson as kinship-care. He is listed as my dependent. When I apply for Dependent Care deduction, his name is not on the drop-down menu?

  • February 12, 2024
  • 4 replies
  • 0 views
If he is found eligible as a dependent, why isn't his name on the list?
Best answer by Opus 17

1. He should be listed as a grandchild, not an "other" dependent.

2. Regardless of legal custody, he must live in your home more than half the nights of the year.  If you are asked, select "7 months" or longer, since the program takes "6 months" to mean exactly half the year, and half the year is not more than half.  If he lived in your home less than half the year, he is not eligible for the dependent care credit.

3. The child must be under age 13 when the care was provided.  Double check the birthdate.

4. To claim the credit, you (and your spouse if you are married) must have income earned from working.  That is a W-2 job or net profit on Schedule C.  If you don't work, or if you work but one of you has a schedule C with a net loss, then you don't qualify for the credit.

4 replies

DoninGA
Employee
February 12, 2024

Did you enter him as your dependent Child or did you select Other for him?  Have you entered any earned income from work on your tax return?

Employee
February 12, 2024

Did you pay someone to take care of him so you could work?   You have to enter your W-2 or self-employment income first, before you try to work on the childcare credit.

**Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to offer the most correct information possible. The poster disclaims any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is contained in this post.**
Employee
February 12, 2024

Was he under the age of 13 when the care was given? That is the age limit for dependent care credit.

Opus 17Answer
Employee
February 12, 2024

1. He should be listed as a grandchild, not an "other" dependent.

2. Regardless of legal custody, he must live in your home more than half the nights of the year.  If you are asked, select "7 months" or longer, since the program takes "6 months" to mean exactly half the year, and half the year is not more than half.  If he lived in your home less than half the year, he is not eligible for the dependent care credit.

3. The child must be under age 13 when the care was provided.  Double check the birthdate.

4. To claim the credit, you (and your spouse if you are married) must have income earned from working.  That is a W-2 job or net profit on Schedule C.  If you don't work, or if you work but one of you has a schedule C with a net loss, then you don't qualify for the credit.